By: GEETANJALI PANDA, PRASANT KUMAR SAHOO, RANJAN KUMAR NAIK
This study presents a critical ethnographic exploration of the ongoing cultural and religious transformation among the Mankirdias, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) living in the rolling hills of Similipal forests in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. Traditionally semi-nomadic, the Mankirdias are widely known for their expertise in trapping monkeys, an occupation reflected in their name, which is derived from the Odia word mankada (monkey). Besides Mayurbhanj, they also inhabit in Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Balasore, and other nearby districts. The villages of Ambadali, Mahalibasa, Uthanisahi, and Kendumundi, which have sizable Mankirdia populations, were selected for fieldwork. The study examines how the community’s social identity, beliefs, and daily life have been affected by conversion to Christianity. Information was collected from local priests, elders, and community members using anthropological methods such as focus group discussions, informal interviews, case studies, and participant observation. Findings indicate that conversion often occurs during times of illness or perceived danger, prompting a revisiting of identity within the community. Overall, conversion is viewed as a social and spiritual reorientation that alters beliefs, transforming notions of purity, morality, and collective identity.
